Safe baby furniture checklist

Did you know

The safest change table in the world won’t stop babies from accidentally rolling or squirming off. Keeping one hand on your baby at all times will keep her safe.

Safe baby furniture and baby equipment will help to protect your child. You’ll still have to watch your child and teach her safe habits to make sure she doesn’t come up with creative and perhaps unsafe ways to use your baby furniture!

Choosing safe baby furniture

There are several things you can do to find out about choosing safe baby furniture:

Check with the Department of Consumer Affairs or the Department of Fair Trading in your state or territory for the latest information about child and baby safety. You can also check with Product Safety Australia.

Buy, rent or accept equipment with the Australian/New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) label. This label shows the product has been manufactured according to sound quality standards and, where necessary, that it complies with compulsory Australian safety standards.

Safe second-hand baby furniture

Friends and relatives might offer you their old baby furniture. It’s important for your baby’s safety to check the furniture before you use it.

In general, the furniture needs to be solid and stable. It should also have brakes or locking devices in good working order. There should be no rough surfaces, sharp edges, paint chips or parts that stick out, like screws.

Baby cots and mattresses

These tips can help you choose a safe baby cot and baby mattress:

Look for the Australian/NZ Standards label, especially if you’re buying a new cot. The standard for cots is AS/NZS 2172:2003.

Make sure the cot has no horizontal bars or footholds your baby can use to climb out.

Check the locking devices and stability of the cot before you use it, especially if it’s second hand.

Check that the mattress is firm.

Use a tape measure to check that the:

space between bars is 50-95 mm – gaps wider than 95 mm can trap a child’s head

distance between the base and the top of the cot is at least 600 mm – this is important for preventing falls once your baby can stand up

gap between the mattress and the sides and ends of the cot is no more than 20 mm, so your child’s head, arms or legs can’t be trapped.

Once you’ve bought and are using the cot, don’t:

make any alterations to the cot

use pillows, doonas, cot bumpers and cot restraints. These can be suffocation risks.

Portable cots

Portable cots – or portacots – are meant only for short-term use.

These tips can help you choose a safe portable cot:

Look for the Australian Standards label AS/NZS 2195:1999.

Check that the portable cot has a firm mattress that touches the cot on every side and fits snugly.

Check that it’s deep enough and has no footholds so your child can’t climb out.

Make sure it has locking devices on the frame with clear locked positions. The locking devices should be designed so your child can’t unlock them.

The inside of all folding or portable cots must have permanent and clear labels with:

instructions for assembly and locking procedures

a warning to check that the cot is correctly assembled and fully locked into place before each use

either a warning to use only a mattress of specified dimensions or a warning to use only the mattress supplied with the product

a warning not to add an extra mattress.

Before you put your child into a portable cot, check that it’s properly locked together and stable. This is especially important if you’re using a second-hand portable cot.

Never make any alterations to portable cots.

Highchairs

These tips can help you choose a safe highchair:

Look for the Australian Standards label, especially if you’re buying a new highchair. The standard for highchairs is AS 4684:2009.

Look for a highchair that is sturdy and stable with a five-point body harness – that is, a harness with straps that go over the shoulders and hips and between the legs.

If the highchair has wheels, make sure the wheels can be locked.

If the highchair folds, make sure it can be locked firmly into position.

If you’re using a chair that hooks onto the back of an adult chair, make sure it’s slip-resistant and that the seat is level.

Look for a simple design – it’ll be easier to clean and also lessen the chance of small fingers getting caught.

Using a highchair safely

Always strap your child into the five-point harness in highchairs so he can’t fall out.

Keep the chair away from walls and cupboards so your child can’t push away and tip the chair over.

Always help your child climb into and out of the chair.

Hang portable chairs from sturdy low tables that won’t tip.

If you’re using a portable chair, keep a constant watch on your baby and make sure she’s always wearing a harness. That’s because your baby has access to everything within reach on the table.

Change tables

There’s no Australian Standard for change tables, so it’s important to look carefully at the safety features of any change tables you’re interested in.

If you choose to use a change table, these tips can help you choose one that’s safe:

Make sure that the table has a child safety harness and raised sides that are at least 100 mm higher than the changing surface.

Make sure there are no gaps or spaces at the top of the table.

Check that the table is stable and has secure locks.

Look for one that’s a good height for you, so you’re not bending uncomfortably.

Using a change table safelyAt home, it’s safest to change your baby on a mat on the floor, so he can’t fall. But if you use a table, these tips can help keep your baby safe:

Make sure all the clothes, wipes, nappies and other gear you need are within arm’s reach before you lay your baby on the change table.

Stay with your baby while she’s on the table. Keep a hand on her at all times to stop her from wriggling off.

Teach older children to keep off the change table.

Make sure you don’t overload the side pouches.

Safety gates and barriers

There’s no Australian Standard for safety gates, so it’s important to look carefully at the safety features of any safety gates you’re interested in.

What to look for in safety gates

Read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels to ensure you have the right gate for your needs.

Note that gates that open are more practical than barriers you have to step over. They’re also safer.

Look for a model that can be opened by a foot pedal. You should need to use reasonable force to open the gate, or the gate should need at least two separate actions to open it.

Check that the gate has no crossbars or mesh that your child could use to climb over. It should also have no sharp edges, and no detachable small parts that could pose a choking risk.

Check that the size of the opening to be gated is within the recommended dimensions for your preferred model. Many gates have extensions you can use for larger openings.

Note that models you can adjust without needing a spanner are more convenient. They’re safe as long as the nuts are done up tightly.

Safety gates on stairs: tips
Stairs with more than three steps should be guarded:

Check that the gate you’re interested in is intended for stair use and can be securely attached to the wall or banisters.

Use approved and securely attached safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.

Note that not all safety gates are safe for use at the top of the stairs.

Other baby furniture

If you have a bouncinette or baby chair, use it only on the floor, not on a table or raised surface. If your baby can roll over, don’t use a bouncinette.

If you decide to use a jolly jumper that hangs in a doorway, make sure the doorframe can support your child’s weight, and make sure you hang the jolly jumper securely. Check the clamps and straps before each bouncing session.

Don’t leave your child unattended in a jolly jumper, and tell older children not to push or pull the baby in the jolly jumper.

Baby walkers are not recommended. A baby in a baby walker is incredibly mobile – he could be down the stairs or out the door before you realise it. And walkers give extra height, which means your baby can reach all sorts of things you thought were out of reach.

If you do choose to use a baby walker, Australian Standards require that baby walkers have an automatic braking system and safety warning labels.

A safer and cheaper alternative to a baby walker or jolly jumper is to put your baby on a play mat or blanket on the floor. This is stimulating for your baby’s development and is a good chance for baby to have tummy time.